Her Story
About Janene
Janene Herman is a Project Controls Specialist with more than 15 years of experience supporting complex government, industrial, and ship maintenance projects through expert scheduling, planning, and earned value management. Throughout her career, she has specialized in developing and maintaining detailed project schedules using Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project while providing accurate forecasting, schedule analysis, and performance reporting that help project teams make informed decisions and successfully manage large-scale programs.
Herman's career began at the Department of Energy's Hanford Site, where she learned the project controls profession under the mentorship of her father. After spending a decade in the field, she stepped away for several years before returning with renewed determination and quickly advancing into leadership roles within the shipbuilding industry. Her experience includes supporting Navy ship maintenance programs, developing integrated master schedules involving thousands of project activities, and ensuring compliance with Earned Value Management System (EVMS) requirements for complex government contracts.
Driven by resilience, continuous learning, and a passion for helping others succeed, Herman believes that setbacks never define a person's future. She is a strong advocate for mentorship and expanding access to affordable project controls education, recognizing the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of professionals. Through her technical expertise, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to excellence, she continues to help organizations successfully deliver critical projects while inspiring others to pursue growth through perseverance and hard work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Janene
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the guidance and mentorship I received from my father, who introduced me to project controls and taught me the fundamentals of the profession. I have continued to build on that foundation through hands-on experience, continuous learning, and the support of mentors who encouraged me to believe in my abilities. My perseverance, especially through personal and professional setbacks, has enabled me to overcome challenges and continue growing throughout my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is that I can accomplish anything if I am willing to put in the effort. My mentors continually reinforced the importance of believing in myself, working hard, and embracing every opportunity to learn. Their confidence in me inspired me to trust my own abilities and continue pushing forward.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do not let your past determine your future. Even if you make mistakes or experience setbacks, you always have the opportunity to start over and build something meaningful. Be willing to begin from the ground up, learn everything you can, and continue moving forward despite self-doubt. Often, the person who believes they cannot succeed is the very person who has the greatest potential to prove themselves wrong. If you are willing to put in the effort, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges in project controls is the high cost of specialized software and professional training, which can make it difficult for newcomers to enter the field. Government projects also require extensive tracking of schedules, budgets, resources, and reporting, demanding a high level of precision and accountability. At the same time, there is a significant opportunity to expand access to affordable training, mentorship, and education so more professionals can develop the skills needed to succeed.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value resilience, perseverance, and the willingness to rebuild when faced with challenges. I believe in continuous learning, mentoring others, and helping people gain access to the training and opportunities they need to succeed. These values guide both my professional work and my personal life.
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